Our interns from the Indiana University Museum Studies program have been hard at work this semester on several great projects. Taylor and Lauren have been cataloguing our library collection, a project that has been needed desperately for over a decade. With more than 4,000 volumes to be numbered, described, sorted, and logged into our Past Perfect database, it’s a daunting task no one has been willing to undertake until this year. They’re doing a fantastic job and they are still predicting completion by the end of next semester!
Nathan has been dividing his time between cataloguing artifacts and creating new exhibits. His most recent is a display of Templar swords, in our new expanded gallery space on the 5th floor of Freemasons Hall. He hopes to have a second, new exhibit ready for Founders Day in January.
Speaking of which, Heather Steele has been volunteering some serious labor and materials for us in recent months and has completely re-plastered and painted the new gallery room herself. She’s currently hard at work now on the 6th floor hallway which has been in serious need of repair for several years. If you catch her working while you’re in the Temple, please pass along appreciation for this enormous task.
Meanwhile, Michael Steele, who volunteers as a guide at the Scottish Rite Cathedral during the week, is now a guide for us on Thursdays at the Museum. The Steeles have jumped in with both feet to help us at the Museum and we are deeply grateful for their hard work and dedication.
If you’re in Indianapolis visiting, come in and see us Tuesdays through Thursdays 10am-4pm until Christmas Week, then Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-4pm starting in January. And be sure to stop in January 11th, 2026 for Founders Day in the morning when we’ll be serving up donuts and hot coffee.
Have a Merry Christmas!